Communications and Outreach Officer Wanted in Tanzania

The Energy Change Lab, an initiative by Hivos and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), is looking for a Communications and Outreach Officer for 24 hours per week (with possible extension to 32 hours in a later stage) in Tanzania. The Energy Change Lab wants to spur systemic change in the energy system of Tanzania, towards one that is sustainable and works for all citizens. In a range of projects, we work towards this aim by exploring specific issues, by cultivating pioneers, by challenging practices, and by changing mindsets in different layers of society.

What will be your responsibility?
You will be responsible for strategic communications, outreach and hands-on organisation of events for the Energy Change Lab generally and for two new projects, both starting in January 2017. One project will assess and practically experiment with ways to foster productive uses of energy. Apart from communicating (research) results and covering on the ground activities, you will support the Lab’s National Coordinator in convening multiple stakeholders throughout this project. Another project is measuring electricity quality in areas in Dar es Salaam. In collaboration with the National Coordinator and the project’s ICT Officer, you will be responsible to translate these data into blogs for a wider audience, and to organise workshops and events for the sharing of these findings.
You will also be responsible for communications and networking related to other Energy Change Lab activities. We will be co-organising an Energy Safari for youth in 2017, which will be one of your main tasks. Furthermore, the Lab will be organising regular dialogue sessions on energy-related topics. In all activities, you work directly with the Energy Change Lab National Coordinator, but also coordinate extensively with the global team. Lastly, we ask you to manage our contact database.

What is your profile?
You have a strong interest in sustainability and innovation, and an understanding of the Tanzanian political landscape and energy sector. You have proven experience as a communications officer in Tanzania, preferably working for an international organisation. You have excellent English and Swahili communication skills, both verbally and in writing. You are able to write in different styles for different audiences and you take initiative in outreach to different media outlets. You have good networking and organising skills, which shows in your trackrecord of event organisation and the managing of relationships with different categories of stakeholders. We value initiative and give space to exploration of your own ideas, so we ask you to give examples of your innovative, entrepreneurial mind-set.

What do we offer?
We offer a contract for 24 hours a week, which can be extended to 32 hours, depending on the amount of work. The position is on a consultancy basis. A monthly consultancy fee will be based on your experience and professional background.

To apply for this position please send your resume, a cover letter outlining your motivation, and (links to) examples of your writings to the Lab’s National Coordinator Sisty Basil (sbasil@hivos.org). For questions or clarifications on the content of the job and the procedure, please contact Eco Matser (ematser@hivos.org).

Visit www.hivos.org and www.iied.org for more information on the programme and founding organisations.

Application deadline: Jan 11, 2017. Interviews will be held in Dar es Salaam in the week of January 16, 2017.

NOTE:Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the postholder for this job.